North Tonawanda residents were quite surprised to hear the news that a black bear was spotted in the city. According to a press release sent out by the North Tonawanda Police Department, the 2-year-old bear was first spotted on Dale Drive. Calls started coming in at 7:40 a.m. as the bear made its way through resident’s backyards as far as Oliver and 16th Avenue.
“Officers formed a perimeter around him while simultaneously trying to push him in a northerly direction to a wooded area. They also kept residents at a safe distance. Several occasions the bear went into backyards and officers or dispatchers alerted homeowners if the bear was in their backyard and to remain inside. The bear was ultimately moved to the end of Daniel Drive and was last seen approximately 9:35 a.m. as he entered the woods.”
The release went on to say that the bear did not display any aggressive behavior during the incident. And despite false reports, the bear was never shot with a tranquilizer and relocated. The Department of Environmental Conservation remained in the area to ensure the bear did not enter back into a residential area.
